As social and natural science inquiry moves toward a new paradigm that encourages greater use of emergence pattern recognition, the work field remains underrepresented. Those familiar ...

Complexity theory provides social work educators, researchers, and evaluators with a promising approach for examining the concepts of interconnectedness, non‐linearity emergence. This paper introduces complexity theory, an example in which large international non‐governmental organization developed capacity to address issue human trafficking, discusses implications applying this education coursework. Social applications range from understanding emerging movements, encouraging rights...

Improving quality of life is the primary focus as adolescents with disabilities enter adulthood. They increasingly, however, encounter difficulties transitioning into domains such employment these services occur near end their high school experience. Using an ecosystems model within a developmental approach, program sought to improve likelihood that will find and maintain meaningful adults. The authors measured physical health, psychosocial functioning, attitude toward participating in...

The social work profession has made significant strides in increasing its attention to influencing politics and policy. In addition accelerating our own efforts be politically active, however, we must reach out a larger audience pursuit of justice. This article discusses the results survey 1,274 randomly selected members NASW that sought ascertain degree which practicing workers encourage their clients engage political action policy change. findings suggest small percentage do so,...

This study investigates successful completion at a faith-based organization providing residential substance abuse treatment services. Method: The authors apply complex systems paradigm using single moderator variable. participants are primarily African Americans and most have current criminal justice involvement. Probabilities of program for active in spiritual activities versus similar not involved these calculated. Results: Participation the spirituality component appears to provide...

Measurement of nonlinearity in social service research and evaluation relies primarily on spatial analysis and, to a lesser extent, network analysis. Recent advances geographic methods computing power, however, allow for the greater use simulation methods. These now enable evaluators researchers simulate complex adaptive systems (CASs) by applying agent-based modeling (ABM). CASs reflect interactions competitive cooperative tendencies found agents. ABM simulations create test generated...

Abstract Service systems for children and families have been shaped by standard approaches to knowledge‐building, which reflect a reductionist approach assume linearity and/or that individuals experiences are normally distributed. Yet, these may be inadequate clients most at‐risk, especially those who would analytic ‘outliers’. A complexity lens focuses on the whole system seeks identify patterns, including dynamic interactions between components of system. Social work scholars begun apply...

ABSTRACT Complexity theory provides a promising exploratory framework for demonstrating quantifiable improvements of disability interventions. This paper introduces concepts complex systems and applies one particular underlying concept, self-organizing, to program providing housing other support services persons with disabilities. Using this specific component complexity beginning point explore how consumers their allies made choices on where homes would be located.

Travel training provides a promising approach for moving persons from paratransit to fixed-route transportation services. This study identifies current funding trends and discusses the volume diversity of services within travel instruction field. Measuring emergence this field focused on four properties systems: intention, boundary, resources, exchange. We used these facilitate sharing information learning among participating organizations. Initial findings indicated that older, established...

ABSTRACT Recruiting and retaining direct support professionals (DSPs) remains essential to the full inclusion for persons with disabilities. Using a mixed-evaluation model, we measured DSPs' views versus those of their supervisors. DSPs expressed lower perceptions concerning supervisors, satisfaction work situation, environmental safety factors. Focus groups provided insights into resolving issues related compensation, environment, recruiting future DSPs. Motivating factors included wanting...

Many gaps exist in the understanding of how adolescents with disabilities successfully transition to adulthood and services contributing this success. This study attempts fill one gap by establishing quality life baseline measures for low-income urban adolescents. We compared data a representative sample District Columbia national norms using three instruments—the Pediatric Quality Life Inventory 4.0, Ansell-Casey Skills Assessment, Career Maturity Inventory-Attitude Scale. The was primarily...

The Macomb-Oakland Regional Center has been facilitating the movement of persons with developmental disabilities into community for 27 years. To measure randomness their home locations, we used a geographic-based spatial analytic approach. Involvement allies in planning futures, number people residing each home, proportion earned income, level disability, and mobility were as explanatory variables. Monte Carlo procedures using Moran's I, autocorrelation, did not reveal significant clustering...

Web-based (2.0) media will play an increasing role in substance abuse treatment. Two focus groups identified initial barriers and potential uses within a population living below the median income. Client suggestions included using different approaches to service delivery based on person's access web 2.0 media. Preliminary results indicated that contrary staff members' opinions, majority of clients appeared have sufficient Internet requisite social networking skills order participate online...

For decades, social service researchers and evaluators sought a research paradigm that applied underlying principles of change arising from the grassroots, strength value relationships, ...

Indicators of co-occurring mental health and substance abuse problems routinely collected at treatment admission in 19 State systems include a dual diagnosis (cognitive impairment) agency referral. These indicators have yet to be compared as predictors outcomes.1. Compare both indices outcomes individually interactively. 2. Assess relationship other client risk factors, e.g., physical/sexual abuse.Client discharge records from the Nevada program, spanning 1995-2001 were reviewed (n =...

Transportation services involving travel training provide 1 means of improving the community inclusion persons with disabilities. Looking at 2 distinct situations, Hong Kong and United States, this study made inquiries about properties differing systems in place to improve inclusiveness. Patterns can be identified concerning their approaches for increasing use fixed route transportation systems, but each had differences enabling legislation, scope, funding mechanisms. We generalizable...

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is the leading preventable intellectual and developmental disability. There no safe level of consumption at any point during pregnancy. Findings this study indicate that information disseminated by health care professionals not always in keeping with understanding. Physicians midwives appeared to be least consistent advocating women they abstain from while pregnant. We explore ways which social workers can support medical profession provide more...

Abstract This analysis reviewed five years of a state's substance abuse treatment admissions and discharges in order to identify specific patterns among persons who had disability. Using series group comparisons, Chi-squares, logistic regressions, violence this population were identified. Results indicate that disability abused substances more likely be victimized by physical domestic when compared with their peers without A person about one-half one-third the odds receiving long-term...